Update on prevention of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia

Update on prevention of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia

The Government of Georgia, in close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community, continually monitors the situation and takes all necessary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.


 The actions taken by the Government of Georgia include:
● Restrictions on intercity traffic and of intercity passenger trains throughout the country from
24 March (No restrictions apply to light vehicles, internal city traffic and for trains with
freight components)
● Place Marneuli and Bolnisi Municipalities on lockdown
● Imposing new regulations for Passengers - citizens of Georgia - arriving through the border crossing
points on the border with the Republic of Armenia (Passengers will only be able to enter the country
through the Sadakhlo border crossing point, while freight traffic will be allowed unrestricted access
through all border crossing points) and on the border with Azerbaijan (Passengers will only be able
to enter the country through the Red Bridge border crossing point, while while freight traffic will
move freely.)
● State of Emergency declared in Georgia until April 21
● Temporary closure of all shopping facilities throughout the country with the exception of food
stores, pharmacies, gas station chains, post offices, and bank branches
● Suspension of all flights to Georgia (flights only will be operated by Georgian Airlines with the
coordination of the government)
● Arrangement of New Quarantine Zones near Sarpi, Larsi and Red Bridge customs checkpoints
● Introduction of new regulations for all passengers travelling to Georgia: mandatory 14-day
Coronavirus quarantine
● Introduction of recommendations on self-distancing
● Temporary restrictions on routed mini buses throughout the country (from 18 March)
● Temporary closure of fitness and spa centres
● Closure of sovereign border of Georgia for two weeks. Restrictions will become effective from 18
March 2020, 00:00 and will remain in force for two weeks.
Restrictions will apply to any foreign national except:
a) Representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Georgia and
their family members;
b) Mixed families where one of the spouses or their under-age child is a citizen of Georgia;
c) Persons arriving in Georgia as part of a humanitarian mission – if the trip of such mission (doctors,
volunteers) to Georgia becomes a necessity;
d) Individuals who have been granted the status of a stateless person by respective authorities of
Georgia.
e) Individuals holding status-neutral travel documents;
f) Individuals having a refugee status in Georgia;
g) The issue of official delegations will be decided on a case-to-case
● Imposing temporary restrictions on travel between Georgia and the Russian Federation (from 16
March). The decision does not affect returning citizens of the Russian Federation and Georgia. No
restrictions apply to cargo transportation either
● Imposing temporary restrictions on travel via Sarpi customs checkpoint. No restrictions apply to
cargo transportation
● Introduction of recommendations on direct service restrictions for cafes, restaurants and bars, etc.
● Introduction of recommendations on self-isolation for individuals aged over 70
● Temporary closure of Ski resorts throughout the country
● Introduction of new regulations for passengers travelling from high-risk countries (China, Iran, Italy,
South Korea, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark): mandatory 14-day
Coronavirus quarantine for travellers failing to present negative test result (PCR method) on COVID
19 conducted at the relevant diagnostic laboratories.
● Imposing temporary restrictions on travel from Azerbaijan and Armenia (from 14 March, 10-day
period). No restrictions apply to cargo transportation, and the decision will not apply to returning
citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
● Temporary closure of Tourist Information Centers and launch of 24/7 hotline
● Introduction of the recommendations on remote work for governmental institutions and the private
sector.
● Postponement of military conscription (till 13 April 2020).
● Closure of schools and universities (till 1 April 2020).
● Restriction on international business trips and participation in training programs for civil servants.
● Suspension of direct flights between Italy-Georgia.
● Thermal screening and inspection of the health conditions of passengers at border crossing
checkpoints.
● Imposing temporary restrictions on travel from high-risk countries (Iran, China).
● Enforcing strict regulations for cargo trucks.
● Introduction of registration forms (accommodation details) for passengers.
● Installation of semi-thermal tents at border checkpoints and airports for passengers from high-risk
countries before transferring them to specialized facilities.
● Disinfecting procedures at public transport, service centers, public institutions, etc.
● Disinfection of Tourist Information Centers throughout the country.
● Elaboration of the recommendations on preventing the spread of novel coronavirus for the tourism
industry.
● Close cooperation with the foreign diplomatic missions and embassies of Georgia abroad
● Provision of detailed information/recommendation to foreigners who plan trips to the country by
Embassies of Georgia.
● Cancellation/postponement of major events
● Launch of 24/7 hotline of the Ministry of Health (15 05 and 116 001).
● Development of a new website for informing the public about the coronavirus and the measures
taken by the Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the country (www.stopcov.ge).

The World Health Organization gave positive feedback on the actions taken by the Government of Georgia  for preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Furthermore, a consistent approach of the Government influenced tourism in the country attracting 1,099,610 international travellers in January-February period (growth 10,2%) out of which 621,161 were tourists demonstrating a 12.2% increase over the previous year. In February, the country was visited by 466,409 international travelers (decrease 0.7%) out of which 257,547 were tourists, showing the growth of 4%  compared to the previous year.

As of 23 March 2020, there are 54 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
As of 23 March 2020, recovered - 8.